Classical japanese music began to play as a person with a fox mask began to play on a shamizen as the curtain behind them slowly opened to show a vast land with a classical japanese feel as cherry blossoms flew across the air as the group were soon within the borders.
"So this is it. Wano Country." Jexi said.
Sakura smiled. "Walking on the land of this country makes me feel like I'm back in Japan. Well, in some way."
"Hmm. This place does feel familiar but...this land also feels wicked as well." Tetsu said as they came across a small little wasteland with dead plants and a purple river.
"The plants? But...how could this happen?" Perfuma asked.
"Pretty sure that has something to do with it." Sunset said pointing to several factories high up producing large amounts of smog.
"Look at how much smoke is coming out of those buildings. They're poisoning the wildlife here." Poison Ivy said.
"Those are one of the weapon factories the Beast Pirates have set up across Wano. The villagers are forced to work there for minimum wage." Tetsu said. "Any village beyond the capital has little to no chance of surviving without them."
"And all the animals...their bodies are filled with poison too." Fluttershy said. "If this goes on…"
"Wano will end up becoming a wasteland." Jexi said.
"That cannot happen. We need to put a stop to those factories." Poison Ivy said.
"You won't be stopping anything." a voice said as they saw Hawkins emerge with several pirates and samurai. "So...the allies of the Straw Hats are the ones who have been seen wandering here. And it seems the wanted criminal wandering here is Roronoa Zoro. Still...it matters not. I have orders to capture anyone out here."
"Basil Hawkins… I know he was gonna be here, but it's still weird seeing him as an enemy." David said.
"Just remember, he sided with Kaido. We need to get through him to get to him." Jexi said.
"Hmm." Hawkins hummed as he drew a tarot card. "The chances of you surviving this encounter are 19%. Let's start the game, shall we?"
"19%...I like those odds!" Moltar said. "Let's go!" he then charged at Hawkins.
"Wait, Moltar, no!" Hope said as Moltar punched Hawkins right in the face with his fist.
"Life Minus One." Hawkins said as one of the straw dolls on his body unravelled as one of the pirates under his command collapsed.
"What the-?!" Moltar exclaimed as he jumped back.
"It won't work. His power lets him transfer the damage to anyone he has a straw doll of." Sectonia said.
"So we can keep dealing damage and he won't feel it? That sounds cheap." Dawn said.
"Actually...maybe we don't have to." Gray said as he struck one of the samurai in the face, knocking them out as one of the dolls on Hawkins unravelled. "Since we can't take him out directly, let's get rid of his extra lives."
Cheetah unsteahed her claws. "Now you're speaking my language."
They soon started to attack the other pirates and samurai before they ended up ridding Hawkins of his dolls.
"Now we have a chance! Char…" Moltar said before something large got in their way.
"Seems you're having trouble...Hawkins." a voice said as X Drake stood there in his Allosaurus form.
"X Drake? What's this guy doing here?" David asked.
"He joined Kaido two years ago." Tetsu said. "He's one of his Six Flyers."
"We've already captured the long nosed one and his companions. Let's provide support if they are short handed." X Drake said to the reinforcements.
"They captured Usopp, Robin and Franky? Now we really need to get past these guys." Izuku said.
"Why the heck would you guys join Kaido?!" Hope shouted.
"Like we would tell any of you." X Drake said.
"Maybe they just don't wanna admit that Kaido beat them so badly he forced them to join his crew." Nana guessed.
"I don't think that's how these things usually work." Captain Cold said.
"Well...we're not planning to go bow to Kaido or anyone." Jexi said as he fought back against X Drake, sending him sliding back.
Hawkins charged at Jexi, entering his Demon Face form. He was about to slash him with his Nail claws before Hope soared at him and kicked him right in the stomach, reverting him and bringing him to a knee.
"You two...you have trouble with these stupid brats?" said a large man with tusk like ornaments.
"Oh come on… Now what?" David asked.
"That's Jack the Drought. One of Kaido's three commanders." Tetsu said.
"I should clean up your mess." Jack said before changing into a large mammoth. As he prepared to charge at them, a voice spoke up.
"What is all this trouble, Jack?" the voice asked as Jack looked up to see a large blue dragon flying right above them.
"Kaido?!" Jack said in fear.
"This vibe… This is definitely him." David said.
"This feeling's intense…. He definitely deserves the title he's been given." Hope said.
"Hey, Kaido! I've come to beat you up!" Luffy shouted.
"You…" Kaido said.
"I'm Luffy! And I'm going to become King of the Pirates!" Luffy shouted as he jumped at him. "Gum Gum...Elephant Gun!" he said bashing Kaido on the head causing him to fall and revert to human form.
"He's reverted!" Law said.
"Gear Fourth! Kong Organ Gun!" Luffy shouted as he rapidly punched at Kaido, sending him tumbling back onto his back.
"He actually toppled him!" Glimmer gawked.
"Don't get excited. Kaido...isn't even trying at all." Jexi said.
"Yeah. This isn't even his full power. He's not taking Luffy seriously at all." David said.
"Ah….ugh. Now I've got a splitting headache. And I was having a nice drink before all this." Kaido said as he stood up and grabbed his weapon. He then took it and swung it against Luffy. "Thunder Bagua!" he shouted as Luffy reverted and collapsed to the ground. "You're going to be Pirate King...you stupid brat?"
"He didn't even break a sweat. And it only took one hit to knock Luffy completely out." Hope said.
"What did you expect? This guy is on a whole nother level. Calling him a monster...would be an insult to actual monsters." Jexi said.
"Ugh...now I'm starting to sober up. I think I better go back and drink up again." Kaido said as he grabbed Luffy and headed off.
"Luffy got CREAMED in that fight." David said.
"I know what you mean. Not since Alabasta with Crocodile have I seen him lose this badly." Cheetah said.
'Still...we can't just leave like this. Let's regroup with Zoro and the others. We can formulate a plan to rescue Luffy and the others." Sci-Twi said.
"Good idea. Leopardmon, Cheetah, this is going to be our biggest caper yet." David said.
"He sounds way too into this." Himiko said.
"Given how things will likely go, can't blame him. He's in his element." Todoroki said.
"Wonder when these Anarchy Kings will strike." Bow said.
"Eh...they're likely cowards who won't appear until the final battle." Bakugo said.
"I don't know… On one half, I agree with Bakugo that they'll jump in at the last minute to take the key from Kaido, but that seems a little too obvious." Himeno said.
"So then… what will they do?" Hope asked.
While they were conversing, a member of Le Kracken's crew based on a cuttle fish retreated from the scene as he went back to the place where the rest of the 20 Tentacles of the Locker had been hiding with their captain and Taishido, at an abandoned fortress in another part of Wano.
He entered the scene and saw his captain and Taishido at the throne.
"Captain Le Kraken, Monsieur Taishido!" he kneeled down. "Ze Hero Alliance have finally arrived in Wano! However, Monsieur Luffy has been captured by Kaido."
"Hmm...I doubt zhe man will be imprisoned for long." Le Kraken said. "It is only a matter of time before he and the others manage to defeat Kaido."
"About that, captain. Zhey expect us to wait until zhe battle with Kaido has reached its peak for us to make our move and take ze key Kaido has." the crew mate said.
"Hmmm!" Taishido stomped on the ground as he breathed from his nose. "So! They think us cowards now, do they?! Well, we are not that obvious! If we are to defeat those puppets and claim what is rightfully ours, then we shall not hide! The once glorious kingdom's name I carry in spirit….were never cowards!" he said posing kabuki theater style. "Le Kraken! If they think we will hide until the battle is at its climax, we'll make them think again! Let us join the heated battle that is about to take place… and make the war even more spectacular!"
"Hmm… Monsieur Ishihara may not take us seriously, but he is not ze type to just brush us off. He'll likely be ready for anything. Especially considering ze architecture." Le Kraken said. "In which case...wait...where is zat Taishido? Don't tell me...did he just run off to prepare for battle?!"
"He just dashed off!" the crewmate said. "Your orders, capitaine?"
"Go and...no. On second thought...let him charge in." Le Kraken said. "His enthusiasm may be helpful, and besides, he's earned the chance to have some fun. We can pick him up once zhe fight between them is over."
"Sir! Sir!" another crew member said. "I was just watching ze coast! We have zhe huge problem!"
"What is it?" Le Kraken asked.
"It's unbelievable but...I saw the ship. They're coming. The Big Mom Pirates are headed for Wano!" they said.
"Quoi?!" Le Kraken exclaimed.
Out on the waters leading to Wano, Big Mom's ship was indeed coming. And Big Mom only wanted one thing.
"Mamamamama… don't you dare make me break my promise Kaido. The only one who will take Straw Hat's head...is me!" Big Mom said.